Getting an Axe That’s Truly One-of-a-Kind
Many a professional will tell you that every guitar is unique, with a sound, feel and song all its own. Over the past quarter of a century, and increasingly over the last decade, that has become even more true, as the market for boutique guitars has exploded. What is a boutique guitar? How much can you expect to pay for one? How might a boutique guitar differ from a “production” guitar, such as a Martin, a Taylor or a Gibson?
What Is a Boutique Guitar?
A boutique guitar is generally one that does not come from a production line. Boutique guitars are crafted individually, typically in small shops, with a single artisan building the entire instrument. As a general rule, there’s a much broader range of options for both materials and features, as well as the opportunity for personalized design elements. Furthermore, a boutique guitar is customarily built specifically for the user, whereas a production guitar is typically purchased off the shelf.
How Much Does It Typically Cost to Have a Boutique Guitar Built?
The total cost of a boutique guitar can vary substantially (usually $3,000-$10,000+) based on a number of factors:
- The materials being used—If you’re having a guitar built from a rare wood, such as Cocobolo, Ebony, Brazilian Rosewood, Hawaiian Koa, or some type of sinker hardwood, you can expect to pay a premium. Mahogany, maple and sapele also produce beautifully sounding guitars, but at a lower price. If price is no object, you can have a guitar crafted from “The Tree,” a famous quilted Honduran mahogany salvaged from an underwater environment, at a cost of $30,000 or more.
- The degree of customization—With a boutique guitar and with the right luthier (person who builds stringed instruments), the sky is almost the limit. You can get different body sizes, different fretboard widths, different types of bridges, different inlays on the fretboard, custom sound holes, highly ornate rosettes or binding, and countless other features.
- The reputation of the builder—Some luthiers have attained legendary status. For a Linda Manzer or a George Lowden guitar, you’ll pay a premium.
How Might a Boutique Guitar Differ from a Production Guitar?
With production guitars, you’re generally limited to a handful of tonewoods, whereas a boutique guitar can be crafted from almost any type of wood. Boutique guitars also allow for:
- Customized headstock design
- Customized neck width
- Customized scale
- Unique types of finishes
- Specialized tuners/tuning pegs
- High end materials for inlays, nut, bridge or bindings
